Special SNAP Services in North Dakota

North Dakota provides special SNAP services for urgent situations. These include expedited benefits for those with very low income, disaster assistance, food replacement, and employment training programs for recipients.

Expedited SNAP (Emergency Service)

This service gets food benefits to people with minimal income or resources while their full application is processed. To qualify, a household must have a gross monthly income under $150 or be a destitute migrant or seasonal farm-worker.

Households whose countable income is less than their rent or mortgage plus utilities may also be eligible. Once identity is confirmed, benefits must be issued within seven days. This is based on state policy manuals.

To apply, submit the regular SNAP application online or at a Human Service Zone office. You must answer the expedited-screening questions on page one and provide proof of identity. For assistance, call the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or 701-328-1000.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

D-SNAP provides one-time food aid after a federally declared disaster disrupts regular food supplies. It helps households that would not normally qualify for SNAP but have disaster-related losses, such as a damaged home, lost income, or evacuation costs.

To qualify, applicants must live or work in a county approved by the USDA for disaster assistance. They must also meet a special income test that includes disaster expenses and provide proof of identity.

When D-SNAP is approved, North Dakota HHS announces application dates and locations. Apply in person during the announced window with a photo ID and documents showing your address and disaster losses. Check for North Dakota updates online.

SNAP Replacement Benefits For Food Lost In A Disaster

Current SNAP households can replace benefits if food bought with SNAP funds was destroyed due to power outages, storms, or other disasters. Any household that lost food, including from a power loss of four or more hours, can request a replacement.

The replacement amount can be up to the household's full monthly allotment. For widespread disasters, HHS may waive the standard ten-day reporting rule to simplify claims. You can find current instructions on the SNAP help page.

File the request within the deadline specified in the disaster notice. You can call or email the HHS Customer Support Center, submit Form SFN 607 online, or visit a Human Service Zone office. Verified losses are credited to the EBT account.

NDWORKS – SNAP Employment & Training

The NDWORKS program helps SNAP recipients gain skills and find jobs to reduce long-term dependence on benefits. Any adult SNAP recipient who is able to work is eligible to volunteer for the program and receive support.

The program pays for job-readiness classes, tools, transportation, and licensing fees. It also offers job placement and retention coaching to help participants succeed in the workforce while they continue to receive SNAP benefits.

To enroll, contact Community Options at 855-285-0305 or your local Human Service Zone. An employment coach will create a personalized training plan and arrange support services after you complete a brief referral form.

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in North Dakota

Once you are approved for SNAP benefits, it's helpful to know how to use them, including what you can purchase and where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is how you receive and spend your SNAP benefits. It functions much like a debit card. The card is loaded with your monthly food assistance funds, which you can then use to purchase eligible food items at authorized stores.

To use your EBT card, you swipe or insert it at the checkout counter and enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN). The purchase amount is then deducted from your SNAP account balance. This process is similar to using a regular debit card for any other transaction.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items for your household. Generally, this includes any food that you take home to prepare. Eligible items cover most groceries needed for a healthy diet.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

There are also items that cannot be purchased with your EBT card. These restrictions typically apply to non-food goods, alcohol, tobacco, and foods sold hot at the point of sale.

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Hot foods ready to eat

• Non-food items such as pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, and cosmetics

Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?

You can use your EBT card at most major grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets. Look for the Quest or SNAP logo at store entrances or checkout lanes. These signs indicate that the retailer accepts EBT payments for eligible food items.

Many online retailers also accept EBT for grocery delivery or pickup. Participating stores include major retailers like Amazon and Walmart. You can use your EBT card to pay for eligible food items on their websites or apps, but delivery fees cannot be paid with SNAP benefits.

Download Benny for Free and Earn Cash Back on EBT

With the Benny app, you can stretch your budget further by earning cash back on everyday purchases. Get money back when you shop for groceries at stores like Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. You can also earn rewards when using services such as Uber and Lyft for transportation.

Download Benny for free, connect your EBT card, and start earning cashback on your purchases.